REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), made the following statement:

“UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday expressed deep concern at violence against opposition rallies this week in at least three provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of the presidential elections to be held on 23 December. Bachelet called on the authorities to ensure that these incidents are promptly investigated, and that “the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly – essential conditions for credible elections – are fully protected.”

On 11 December, at least three men were killed and several injured after police reportedly fired live ammunition and used teargas and water cannons against an opposition rally in Lubumbashi in the Haut-Katanga province. The convoy of presidential candidate Martin Fayulu also reportedly came under attack by police. In the ensuing clashes between supporters of various parties, seven vehicles, including one belonging to the Police Nationale Congolaise, were destroyed and the prosecutor’s office was burned down. On 12 December, Fayulu’s campaign was again disrupted, this time in Kalemie, Tanganyika province. A young woman was killed and at least nine others injured, including two by live ammunition. And yesterday, in Mbuji Mayi in Kasai Orientale province, the provincial governor deployed soldiers and police officers on several roads to prevent people from greeting another presidential candidate, Felix Tshisekedi. A 16-year-old boy was reportedly killed by a soldier of the Forces Armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC).

“I am deeply worried about the reports of excessive use of force, including live ammunition, by security forces against opposition rallies,” High Commissioner Bachelet said. “I am also concerned at reports of the use of inflammatory speech by political leaders.”

“Just days ahead of crucial elections in the DRC, it is essential that the authorities ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fully protected and that they take all possible measure to prevent violence. This includes ensuring that all the candidates are able to hold meetings and rallies to campaign for their election.”

Bachelet also expressed alarm at reports of armed groups’ interference with election campaigning. There have been threats against supporters of political parties, notably the presidential majority, particularly in North and South Kivu. Supporters of the opposition have also reportedly disrupted campaign meetings held by presidential majority candidates in Kwilu and Kasai provinces. A number of incidents targeting opposition supporters were also registered in Maniema province.

“In an already tense electoral environment, I urge the Government to send a clear signal that threats and violence against political opponents will not be tolerated,” she said. “I call on the Government of the DRC to ensure that all such incidents are promptly, effectively investigated and the perpetrators are held accountable.” Bachelet called on all parties to refrain from violence and urged security forces to remain impartial.”

Charlie Yaxley, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), made the following statement:

“UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is extremely concerned at the large number of people left homeless by fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The ongoing violence means aid agencies are without access to provide even basic assistance in several areas.

UNHCR estimates that around 1.5 million people have had their homes damaged or destroyed. The assessments are based on findings from a UNHCR-led Shelter Working Group from 7 of DRC’s 26 provinces, which were surveyed between May and November of this year.

Deadly clashes involving armed groups and Government forces, as well as targeted attacks, have seen many houses being burned to the ground, and building materials and roofs looted and stripped. Some of those forced to flee report entire villages having been reduced to ash.

In the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, an estimated 88,000 houses have been destroyed or damaged due to violence.

Many people have been left with no choice but to seek shelter elsewhere, where they rely on host families to take them in. This is placing a strain on already limited resources, forcing some to engage in sexual services or child labour.

Others are in destitute and dire conditions, sleeping in huts made of branches and plastic bags. With little protection against the elements or from intruders, they are exposed to sickness and disease. The minimal possessions people still have often end up being stolen. Women and girls are at acute risk of sexual violence.

In the Ebola-affected area near Beni, North Kivu, more than 1,300 cases of human rights violations against civilians have been recorded in the last three months, including physical attacks, indiscriminate killing, pillaging and kidnapping.

In Ituri, recent weeks have seen renewed attacks by often unidentified assailants on military positions and civilians. As a result of the new wave of violence since September in Ituri’s Djugu Territory, UNHCR received reports of close to 100,000 newly displaced persons in the province.

Over one million Congolese are now estimated to have become internally displaced in 2018.

UNHCR urges all parties to the violence to immediately cease targeting of civilians. It also calls on the Government of DRC to address the causes of forced displacement and to engage in seeking solutions for those affected.

We also urge the international community to come forward with further funding, having received just 46 per cent of the $201 million needed for our operations in DRC in 2018.”

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that, in a statement made on 12 December 2018, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Leila Zerrougui, had expressed her concern at the interference in the electoral process by armed groups and urged the Government to take all necessary measures to prevent further incidents. She was working with the authorities to help as far as was possible to ensure that the elections were conducted in the best way possible.

Responding to questions from journalists, Ms. Shamdasani said that OHCHR was not yet aware of the cause of the recent fires in electoral booths in Kinshasa but that the violence and attacks of which they were an example had been caused by political groups on all sides, which was why OHCHR was calling on the authorities to take all measures to address the situation, regardless of who was responsible. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the human rights staff were in constant engagement and discussion with all levels of government in the country. While the authorities had argued that there were among the protesters armed elements and troublemakers who carried out violent acts, that could not be an excuse to use live ammunition against protesters, many of whom were peaceful; the use of force must be limited to situations in which there was an imminent threat to the security forces. Serious issues in many parts of the country that were likely to affect the right of the population to freely elect the representatives of their choice included the Ebola virus disease outbreak and the armed clashes that might prevent people leaving their homes to vote.

In answer to a question from a journalist, Mr. Yaxley said that the figures he had given concerned only 7 of the country’s 26 provinces and so the national total could be higher. There had been an increase in violence, notably in Ituri, with over 100,000 persons displaced in September and many left without shelter because of the difficulty of access for humanitarian organizations. The situation was exacerbated by the Ebola virus disease epidemic and the attacks by armed groups.

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that the Ebola virus disease outbreak was occurring in one of the most complex and challenging settings possible, but substantial progress had nevertheless been made. The armed conflict meant that it was dangerous for the Ebola response teams to operate and for people to seek help in clinics; the problems associated with the elections might exacerbate the situation still further. In addition, although the majority of the population supported the response work, the years of conflict and instability had made some people mistrustful of outsiders. There were also hundreds of public and private health centres with inadequate infection prevention and control practices that needed support to help stop the amplification of the outbreak, all of which depended on access, for both the people and the response teams. Data from 12 December 2018 showed that there were currently 515 confirmed or probable cases and 303 deaths from the virus. Neighbouring countries such as Uganda had begun vaccination campaigns and South Sudan was soon to do so.

Burundi

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), responding to a question from a journalist, said that OHCHR had, on Wednesday 12 December 2018, received an official letter from the Government of Burundi requesting it to close the OHCHR office in that country. OHCHR was currently in discussions with the Government to see how it could continue to assist the authorities in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

Killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said, in response to a question from a journalist, that, while OHCHR appreciated the efforts made by both the Turkish and the Saudi Arabian authorities, the circumstances of Mr. Khashoggi’s murder meant that there must be international involvement in the investigation. In addition to the public statements made, OHCHR had communicated with the Saudi authorities in private and the High Commissioner had made her views on the matter clear.

Nicaragua

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), responding to questions from a journalist, said that OHCHR was aware that the registrations of nine Nicaraguan civil society organizations had been cancelled in the previous two weeks. The OHCHR regional representative for Central America was in the country and expecting to meet the Foreign Ministers today. She would raise the Office’s concerns and call on the authorities to ensure respect for the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. She would also repeat the Office’s request to be allowed to monitor the situation from inside the country, which it was not currently able to do.

Syria

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, was travelling today to Qatar to attend the Doha Forum - on the margins of which he was planning to consult with the Secretary-General ahead of his own briefing to the Security Council next week.

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), read a statement in reference to the briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria, made by Mark Lowcock on 13 December:

“Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock yesterday welcomed the passing of Security Council resolution 2449 (2018) which renews up till January 2020 the authorization to use specific border crossings to deliver humanitarian assistance into Syria from neighbouring countries, notably from Turkey, with notification to the Syrian authorities. This operation has since July 2014 been a critical lifeline for millions of Syrians who cannot be supported through other means.

The situation in the north-west of Syria, where some three million people depend on humanitarian cross-border operations, remains very challenging and Idlib is still balancing on the edge of a humanitarian disaster. While the recent pause in airstrikes has provided some respite for civilians, shelling and fighting in areas in and around the demilitarized zone continue to result in civilian death, injury and displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The UN and non-governmental organizations continue to respond and the cross-border operation from Turkey is indeed a major undertaking. in November of this year alone, nearly 500 trucks crossed through the authorized crossing pointss with for example food and livelihood support for over half a million people, non-food items and shelter material for nearly 200,000 people and water and sanitation assistance for some 40,000 vulnerable civilians.

In total, since July 2014, some 23,000 trucks have crossed into Syria with humanitarian relief through this lifeline.”

Responding to questions from journalists, Mr. Laerke said that if the pause in airstrikes in Idlib did not hold, 3 million people would be in a situation of extreme vulnerability. He said that Mr. Mark Lowcock, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, had the previous day highlighted that the recent hostilities had reportedly forced nearly 15,000 people to flee their homes for neighboring villages, with many people living in the open without adequate shelter during the cold winter months. They had joined the many thousands already living in tents or under plastic sheeting. It was therefore critical that the pause in airstrikes should be maintained.

Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

In response to many questions and complaints from journalists concerning the decisions taken by the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the apparent lack of availability of the organization’s press spokespersons for comment, Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that the Board meeting had concluded only late the previous evening and that the press office would now be able to be contacted for comments on the situation.

Yemen - Peace talks and impact for WFP

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, referred journalists to the documents distributed on the previous day about the positive outcome of the recent consultations with the parties to the conflict in Yemen that had been held in Sweden this week. The United Nations Security Council would today hear reports from Martin Griffiths, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, via video link from Amman, about the outcome of the consultations and from Mark Lowcock, Emergency Relief Coordinator, on the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Hervé Verhoosel, for the World Food Programme (WFP), made the following statement:

“The World Food Programme welcomes the UN Secretary General’s announcement of military de-escalation in the governorates of Taiz and Hodeidah – two densely populated zones in Yemen which have seen some of the most intense fighting. I was in Stockholm for the first two days of the peace talks, and I would like to commend the determination of UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and UN secretary General Antonio Guterres, in bringing the two parties to the negotiating table to make progress for millions of Yemenis. The warring parties have committed to an immediate ceasefire in the port city of Hodeidah and its surrounding governorate at the end of the weeklong peace talks.

A province-wide ceasefire in Hodeidah - the principal lifeline for two thirds of the country - should mean better humanitarian access and a sustained flow of food, fuel and commercial and humanitarian goods to the war-stricken population. This agreement has the potential to allow the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef to operate at near-normal capacity. The free flow of commercial food supplies into Yemen should prevent further increases in food prices which have skyrocketed.

Yemen imports 90 per cent of its food and the port of Hodeidah receives 70 per cent of these imports. With the conflict intensifying over recent weeks, we have seen a decrease by about 50 per cent in shipments into Hodeida port operations as shipping companies were reluctant to use the port due to fighting.

Hodeidah has been a lifeline for Yemen and WFP, and has been a key asset for bringing in humanitarian supplies through its port with its eight berthing stations for potential use. Early this year, WFP brought four gantry mobile cranes to Hodeidah which doubled the port’s capacity to handle containerized and break-bulk cargo.

Also critical to both humanitarian operations and to the commercial sector are the Red Sea Mills which have been cut off by the fighting since September. They currently store 51,000 tons of WFP wheat stocks - enough to assist 3.7 million people in northern and central Yemen for one month - and represent one quarter of WFP’s wheat flour milling capacity in the country. This ceasefire will hopefully give us the possibility to use this facility and dispatch this stock.

In the most recent food security assessment (IPC), hunger was more severe in active conflict zones with some of the worst-affected areas in Hodeidah, According to the 06 December IPC report, without humanitarian access in Hodeidah we will see 69 percent of the population - 2.048 million people - in IPC Phase 3 (crisis) or above, 1.02 million of which in IPC Phase 4, and 23,000 in IPC Phase 5, Emergency. Last month, WFP targeted nearly 800,000 people in Hodeidah with either commodity vouchers or in-kind food assistance.

The enclave in Taiz city, which has also seen heavy fighting since the beginning of the conflict, has remained an area which has posed serious access challenges for WFP operations. Without humanitarian food assistance, 73 percent of the population (2.244 million people) would end up in IPC phase 3 or above, 1.294 million in phase 4, and 45,000 people living in near-famine conditions (IPC Phase 5)

Hodeidah and Taiz will benefit the most from this ceasefire, which should give better access to the millions of people severely food insecure in these regions. Our top priority is ensuring that all families considered to be in IPC phase 5 are assisted immediately.

The world’s largest humanitarian relief operation is underway in Yemen. WFP scaling up its operation to reach 10 million of the most vulnerable people in Yemen this month - an increase from the 7-8 million WFP has been assisting since per month since last August - with plans to reach up to 12 million in January 2019. As part of this scale-up, WFP is also aligning its nutrition support to young children and to pregnant and breastfeeding women to areas at risk of famine each month, assisting 1.5 million with special nutrition support by the end of January, and 2 million women and children by the end of 2019.

To give you an idea of the scale, in January 2017 we were assisting 3.5 million people in Yemen per month with food rations. Nearly two years later, WFP operations have more than tripled this number. This is one of the largest operations for WFP.

Already, as of 13 December, 52,375.78 metric tonnes of life saving food rations have been dispatched, representing nearly half of the estimated 107,324.68 metric tonnes WFP will dispatch for the month of December 2018.

In areas where fighting has been fiercest in Hodeidah, WFP has conducted emergency food distributions so families have not had to venture out onto the streets in search of food.

We hope that this peace breakthrough will mean better humanitarian access to those in need. We also hope it will make it easier for us to secure visas for our staff and clearances for equipment, and for us to monitor and report on our operations.”

Responding to questions from journalists, Mr. Verhoosel said that, if the ceasefire agreement was respected, WFP hoped to be able to reach those families considered to be in IPC phase 5 who were in Hodeidah province. It would also have greater flexibility in importing food and accessing the rest of the country. WFP intended to begin scaling up nutrition for young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women; there were some nutrition supplies already in the country and others would be imported. WFP further hoped that the second round of consultations proposed to take place in January would result in increased access to other parts of the country. As funding contributions, USD 152 million would be needed each month for the scaled up programme. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had participated in the funding of the various United Nations agencies, including WFP, in the past. An additional USD 500 million was to be made available for distribution between agencies. The agreed ceasefire was of crucial importance in restoring security and efficiency to the port of Hodeidah and thus convincing the private sector to return to Hodeidah.

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that the agreement reached in Sweden covered Hodeidah port and city and the ports of Salif and Ras Issa. It concerned the establishment of an immediate ceasefire in the governorate and the redeployment of armed forces to outside the ports and the city, overseen by a committee chaired by the United Nations. The United Nations would also play a leading role in supporting the Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation in management and inspections at the three ports. Security would be the responsibility of local security forces in accordance with the law of Yemen. It would also assist, for instance, in the channelling of revenues from the ports to the Central Bank of Yemen through its branch in Hodeidah to contribute to salaries in the governatorate and throughout the country. The Secretary-General and his Special Envoy had indicated the possibility of a Security Council resolution on the monitoring of the agreement on Hodeidah and the ports.

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that, in the light of credible reports of war crimes having been committed in the conflict in Yemen and the high numbers of civilian casualties, the High Commissioner had called on all countries involved in any way to reassess their involvement and to exert all possible pressure to bring the conflict to an end and ensure that all parties respect international humanitarian law, particularly as concerned the protection of civilians.

World Trade Organization announcement

Fernando Puchol, for the World Trade Organization (WTO), said that the WTO Trade Policy Review Body would review the trade policy of the United States of America on Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 December 2018. The secretariat and United States reports were under embargo until 2 p.m. on Monday and a press briefing would be held at 12 midday on Wednesday by the Director of the Trade Policy Review Division. The United States delegation would be led by Ambassador Dennis Shea. The WTO Dispute Settlement Body would be meeting on Tuesday 18 December 2018 to firstly hear a statement by the United States of America on the precedential value of panel or appellate body reports, and then to consider four requests for the establishment of panels, including a second request by Mexico against Costa Rica on measures concerning the importation of fresh avocados; a second request by the United States against the Russian Federation on additional duties on certain products - four previous such requests had been presented by Canada, Mexico, China and the European Union – a request by Qatar against Saudi Arabia on measures concerning the protection of intellectual property rights; and a first request by China against the United States on tariff measures on certain goods. The Appellate Body would today at 5 p.m. issue a report on United States measures concerning the importation, marketing and sale of tuna and tuna products in respect of the second recourse presented by Mexico. The Appellate Body would refer to two compliance panels rulings which found that the United States had brought its dolphin-safe labelling into line with WTO obligations.

United Nations Refugee Agency announcement

Charlie Yaxley, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that the annual High Commissioner’s Dialogue on Protection Challenges, with partner organizations and Governments, on the theme of protection and assistance for refugees, internally displaced persons and stateless persons in urban settings, with a particular focus on cities, would take place on 18 and 19 December 2018 in room XX. It would be attended by mayors and representatives of city administrations. The opening meeting, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday 18 December, and the closing meeting, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday 19 December, would be open to the media and broadcast live on UN Web TV.

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, added that Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, UN‐Habitat, would be taking part in the Dialogue and would be available for interview by the press.

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights announcement

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination would be holding a press conference at 1.15 p.m. in press room 1 to issue its concluding observations on the six States parties whose reports had been reviewed during its ninety-seventh session: Qatar, Honduras, Iraq, Republic of Korea, Albania and Norway.

Press conferences

Friday, 14 December at 12.30 p.m., Room III
UNHCR / IOM
Launch of the UN appeal for the Venezuela situation, the regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP)
Speakers:
• UNHCR/IOM Joint Special Representative for refugees and migrants from Venezuela Eduardo Stein,
• Director General of IOM António Vitorino
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi

Friday, 14 December at 1 p.m., Press Room 1
OHCHR
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Concluding Observations on Albania, Honduras, Iraq, Norway, Qatar, and Republic of Korea
Speakers:
• Mr. Noureddine Amir, Chairperson of the Committee
• Ms. Gay McDougall, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee
• Ms. Keiko Ko, member of the Committee
• Mr. Alexei Avtonomov, member of the Committee


The webcast for this briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/unog141218